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Japan 2014 – Food Album

To tell you the truth, Niall and I were more excited about eating Japanese food than doing anything else when planning our travels to Japan.

We have a love affair with Japanese food. During our many conversations about our favourite cuisines over the years, Japanese food has always ranked very highly for the both of us. (For me, it is too difficult to pick between my native cuisine – Chinese – and Japanese food to nominate as my absolute favourite). We even have trouble picking a favourite Japanese dish – it is ALL good!

We are happy to report that Japan certainly did not disappoint.

Tokyo has more Michelin starred restaurants than any other city in the world, and is home to an amazing array of eateries for the hungry traveller to explore – from the weird and wacky themed restaurants to the hyper-traditional culinary experiences. There was certainly something available for all types of food cravings and budgets in Tokyo! Kyoto, on the other hand, is world-famous for its (Buddhist) vegetarian cuisine, tofu, and sweets. Overall, we felt you had to try really hard (or be really unlucky) to have a terrible meal in Japan.

Rice and noodle dishesRice and noodles are staple foods in Japanese cuisine, and remain two of the most important ingredients in Japanese cooking. We encountered the following dishes in an array of eateries – from proper restaurants to vending machine restaurants!

Sukiyaki

Katsudon

Fish rice set

Chirashi-don

Sukiyaki

Spicy sukiyaki

Soba noodles with assorted tempura

Five course meal from Disney Sea

Ramen

Tendon

Yaki udon

Rice burger from Mos Burger

Chinese food, Chinatown, Yokohama

Udon

Hot pot udon noodles

Chirashi-don

Sukiyaki

Tempura with udon noodlesdon

Kabayaki don

Omu-raisu

Ramen

Sushi and sashimiSuch care and technique goes into the preparation of sushi and sashimi dishes – it’s no wonder why these delicacies cost a little more at restaurants in Japan! Luckily, however, delicious and fresh sushi is also available at supermarkets and department stores at cheaper prices, so there really is no excuse for not indulging!

Nigiri-zushi from the local supermarket

Assorted sashimi

Basashi (horse meat sashimi)

Tasting the Basashi

Sushi train at Tsukiji Fist Market in Tokyo

Sushi train at Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo

Sushi train at Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo

Snacks and street food
One needs to keep their energy up whilst out and about when travelling. Luckily for us, Japan is full of really yummy snacks and really well-made pastries that can be purchased from konbini (convenience stores), bakeries, and street food stalls. Trying the huge variety of snack foods in Japan was by far our most favourite part of this food adventure!

Takoyaki stand

Takoyaki

Harajuku crepes

Harajuku crepe

Harajuku crepe

Shrimp chips

Caramel Corn

Onigiri

Onigiri

Disney Sea mochi

Disney Sea mochi

Disney Sea churro

Various mochi

Mochi

Mochi with chesnut and red bean paste filling

Freshly made mochi in Nara (lots of yelling and pounding was involved)

Mochi with mandarin and red bean paste filling

Steamed panda bun, Yokohama Chinatown

Green tea custard bun

Fried curry bun

Sausage bun

Chesnut croissant

Sea urchin bun

Taiyaki

Kamakura Buddha taiyaki

Green tea soft serve

o-Dango (mochiko dumpling on a stick in syrup)

o-Dango

Yakitori

Baby octopus stuffed with quail egg

Unagi – two ways

Tuna sashimi

Grilled squid

Satsuma-age

Satsuma-age

Satsuma-age

Satsuma-age

Jumbo oysters

Jumbo oysters

Other delicious goodies

Grilled squid

Seafood okonomiyaki

Fried mochi dumplings

Green tea dessert

Strawberry dessert

Bonito shuto (fermented bonito guts)

Silken tofu with bonito flakes

Nasu dengaku

Tamagoyaki

Agadashi tofu

Fried lotus roots

Hot stone grilling

Meat for shabu shabu

Shabu shabu

DrinksJapan is dotted with drinks vending machines everywhere! It is almost impossible to go thirsty here. What is even more amazing is that you can pick between cold or hot beverages to purchase, too! Wow! We also tried many delicious Japanese beers, whiskeys (not pictured), sakes, and umeshus… The Japanese definitely know how to make excellent drops to drink and be merry with!